Right (named person) has passed Year 2 Month 17 2008 day Goju ryu karate do renmei.

Shinkaba (Maybe? The Shibu dojo name anyway).

Goju Ryu Karatedo Seiwakai (Likely).

Head chief 2080.

Name of person issuing the certificate : This is unclear at the moment however I have a friend in Japan who has offered to take the image of the certificate to one of his teachers to read and make comment, when I get that information I'll add it.

There are a number of obvious discrepancies with this document which suggest it's a copy of an original in someone else's name. The format of *some* Nihongo strongly suggests it wasn't written by a native Japanese writer but what is clear, is that it's not entirely legitimate.

More to follow.

Edit, forgot to mention that this certificate appears to have been written (English parts) by the same person who wrote the fake phD - same hand writing, indeed possibly the same marker pen.

Behind all of the martial arts there is a lot of history and myth. Most of this is lost to many of the students of the various arts practiced in New Zealand. In most cases, these are not even thought about. Then there is the true enthusiast, with a quest for knowledge on all that is the mystery of the "Arts of the Orient". These are the students ( Black Belt holders as well as new comers ) who take pride in reading up on the various styles and stories that surround them. They do this with a passion.
Now it is possible to be rewarded for doing this study. WIMAF-NZ offers three levels of recognition for your diligence. These are purely academic studies and are none style specific and require no technique training at all. The three courses are:
'Certificate in Martial Studies ', this is open to everyone and is a 12 assignment course covering different disciplines of martial art, the first being Karate.
The student researches all they can by reading books, web pages etc. and submits a minimum of 4 -5 page outline of what they have learnt about the art for that assignment. This is sent in for marking and returned with comments. If rejected the assignment must be re submitted after following suggestions from the tutor on how to improve. When the assignment meets the standard requirement a mark is assigned to it and the next assignment art is given.
'Diploma in Martial Studies', this is open to those who have completed the certificate course. This is a 6 assignment course that entails researching the five main countries where martial arts developed, outlining what arts emerged from these countries. The 6th assignment is on weapons of the martial arts. This course follows the same format as for the certificate.
'Masters Degree in Martial Studies', this is open to those who have completed the certificate and diploma courses, and hold a 4th Dan rank or above. This is a 1 assignment course where the student submits a 15 page essay on the martial art they themselves are involved in.
These courses are not restricted to New Zealand but are available internationally. WIMAF-NZ already has interest from America, Denmark, Germany, Canada and Nepal with martial artists ready to register.
It is time to get recognition for your academic passion for the arts. The courses cost $120 each for non WIMAF-NZ members and $60 for members, so are not cost restrictive. They are correspondence based and the students set their own pace, with no limitations to finish times.
If you are interested please feel free to contact me, via smoses@clear.net.nz

Right (named person) has passed Year 2 Month 17 2008 day Goju ryu karate do renmei.

Shinkaba (Maybe? The Shibu dojo name anyway).

Goju Ryu Karatedo Seiwakai (Likely).

Head chief 2080.

Name of person issuing the certificate : This is unclear at the moment however I have a friend in Japan who has offered to take the image of the certificate to one of his teachers to read and make comment, when I get that information I'll add it.

There are a number of obvious discrepancies with this document which suggest it's a copy of an original in someone else's name. The format of *some* Nihongo strongly suggests it wasn't written by a native Japanese writer but what is clear, is that it's not entirely legitimate.

More to follow.

Edit, forgot to mention that this certificate appears to have been written (English parts) by the same person who wrote the fake phD - same hand writing, indeed possibly the same marker pen.

This is a perfect example to use for others regarding the use of numbers, both Roman and Kanji in Japanses Documents.

If it was written by a Japanese person, the would have written the numbers verticle, not horizontal.

Example
2 弐 (This is only used for official documents, hard to change from the standard 二)
0 0
0 0
8 八

Just a note to store for use when viewing documents. Can help determine if a Japanese person filled in or not.

If you're in a position to read the name of the person issuing the certificate, that would be very useful information.

I've had the image of that certificate in the hands of a native Japanese and even he wasn't able to read the name. What's interesting, over and above the points you correctly indicate, is that it is very unusual for certificates of this type to carry a photo image of the recipient and, if you look carefully, the name of the certificate issuer has been written over slightly. This in it's self is a mark of disrespect and wouldn't be present if the originator was in fact Japanese.

This whole giving of a phD, Sokeship with a 10th dan and, the certificate we're discussing makes no sense at all. Why would Porter need or require a rokkudan in Goju Ryu Karatedo given to him by the same circlejerking American based organisation, who in the same week, indeed within a day, issue him with a worthless phD ?

That is my major issue. An American Board grants rank based on people who trained in an art. That is why many TMAs aren't respected. People who don't train your specific art suddenly can rank you across the ocean.

That is my major issue. An American Board grants rank based on people who trained in an art. That is why many TMAs aren't respected. People who don't train your specific are suddenly can rank you across the ocean.

Damn straight.

These people typically espouse the notions associated with study of the arts - Honour, Integrity, Dedication, Self development yada, yada, yada yet are also the perpetrators of hypocrisy by accepting these worthless documents/titles and grades then attempt to make much from the fact.

Ahh the typical mish mash of Japanese and Chinese Martial Arts. Again, to be clear, there is nothing wrong with combing arts. The issue is creating one and then going out to get false certification and creating a false history.

So, you call it Sanshou (Chinese sport designation) then label it Karate.